Anglo-Cherokee War facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anglo-Cherokee War |
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| Part of the French and Indian War and Seven Years' War | |||||||
 After the Anglo-Cherokee War, bitterness remained between the two groups. In 1762, Henry Timberlake took three of the former Cherokee adversaries to London to help cement the newly declared friendship |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Cherokee |  Great Britain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Attakullakulla Oconostota Ostenaco Seroweh |
William Lyttelton Archibald Montgomerie (WIA) James Grant Paul Demeré (POW) |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 48 killed At least 5 wounded |
43 killed 78 wounded 120 captured |
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The Anglo-Cherokee War (1758–1761) was a conflict between British forces in North America and the Cherokee people. The Cherokee called it the "war with those in the red coats" or "War with the English." From the British perspective, it was also known as the Cherokee War or the Cherokee Uprising. This war happened during the larger French and Indian War.
At first, the British and the Cherokee were allies. However, both sides began to distrust each other. Tensions grew between British-American settlers and Cherokee warriors. Settlers were moving onto lands where Cherokee towns were located. These disagreements led to open fighting in 1758.
Contents
Understanding the War's Origins
Early Alliances and Shifting Loyalties
The Cherokee had a long history with the British. They helped the Province of Carolina in the Tuscarora War (1711–1715). Later, they fought against the British in the Yamasee War (1715–1717). But they soon switched sides again, helping the British defeat the Yamasee people. The Cherokee remained allies with the British until the French and Indian War began.
Cherokee Involvement in the French and Indian War
When the French and Indian War started in 1754, Cherokee warriors joined British campaigns. They fought against the French at Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). They also fought against the Shawnee people in the Ohio Country. In 1755, about 130 Cherokee warriors, led by Ostenaco, helped guard a fort at the mouth of the Ohio River. This was done at the request of the Iroquois League, who were also British allies.
French Influence Among the Cherokee
French traders and agents from Fort Toulouse had visited some Cherokee towns. These towns were along the Hiwassee River and Tellico River. Some Cherokee leaders became friendly with the French. Important pro-French leaders included Mankiller of Great Tellico and Old Caesar of Chatuga. The main leader of the Cherokee nation, Conocotocko I (called "Old Hop"), also favored the French. His nephew, Conocotocko II ("Standing Turkey"), took over as leader in 1760 and also supported the French.
Growing Tensions and Early Conflicts
The Anglo-Cherokee War officially began in 1758. It started when the Virginia militia attacked a Cherokee leader named Moytoy of Citico of Citico. They believed the Cherokee had stolen some horses. Moytoy then led attacks on colonial towns along the Yadkin River and Catawba River in North Carolina. This started a cycle of revenge attacks.
A terrible event happened at Fort Prince George. British soldiers there held 16 Cherokee people as hostages. During an attempt to move them, the panicked soldiers killed all the hostages. In response, the Cherokee attacked Fort Loudoun and killed many British soldiers there.
Key Events of the War
British Forts and Cherokee Assistance
The conflict continued until 1761. Cherokee leaders like Oconostota and Attakullakulla led their people. During the French and Indian War, the British wanted the Cherokee's help against the French. The British knew the French planned to build forts in Cherokee lands. The French had already built several forts in the region.
The Cherokee agreed to be allies. The British quickly built their own forts in Cherokee territory. These included Fort Prince George in South Carolina and Fort Loudoun in 1756. After the forts were built, nearly 700 Cherokee warriors joined the British. They fought in western Colony of Virginia under Ostenaco. Other Cherokee groups attacked Fort Toulouse. In 1758, the Cherokee helped capture Fort Duquesne.
Mistrust and Retaliation
However, the Cherokee felt their efforts were not appreciated. On their way home through Virginia, some Cherokee warriors were killed by Virginians. The Cherokee had been promised supplies but misunderstood where to get them. They took some horses they believed were theirs. In response, Virginians killed many Cherokee warriors.
Escalation of the Conflict
Some Cherokee leaders still wanted peace. But others led revenge attacks on British settlements. The Governor of South Carolina, William Lyttelton, stopped all gunpowder shipments to the Cherokee. He also gathered an army of 1,100 men. This army marched to confront the Cherokee towns.
The Cherokee desperately needed ammunition for hunting in the fall and winter. They sent 38 chiefs to negotiate peace. However, Lyttelton took these chiefs prisoner as hostages at Fort Prince George. He believed this would ensure peace.
Cherokee Attacks and British Response
Lyttelton returned to Charleston, but the Cherokee were furious. They began attacking frontier settlements in 1760. In February 1760, they attacked Fort Prince George to free their hostages. The fort's commander was killed. His replacement then killed all the Cherokee hostages. This led the Cherokee to declare open war against the British colonies. The Cherokee also attacked Fort Ninety Six, but it held strong.
By February 1760, Cherokee attacks spread into North Carolina. An attack on Fort Dobbs was stopped by Colonel Hugh Waddell. However, smaller settlements in the Carolinas were quickly overrun by Cherokee raids.
Governor Lyttelton asked for help from Jeffery Amherst, the British commander in North America. Amherst sent Archibald Montgomerie with 1,200 troops. Montgomerie's army destroyed 10 Cherokee towns. However, his campaign ended with a defeat at Echoee Pass when he tried to enter the Middle Towns. Later in 1760, the Overhill Cherokee defeated the British colonists at a siege of Fort Loudoun and took control of it.
Grant's Expedition and Devastation
In 1761, a second British expedition was launched against the Cherokee. James Grant led an army of 2,800 men. This was the largest force to enter the southern Appalachians at that time. Grant's army moved through the Cherokee towns. They defeated the Cherokee at Echoee Pass again. Then, they destroyed about 18 Middle Towns and burned all the crops. This army, made up of British soldiers, colonial troops, and allied Native American groups, destroyed the homes and food of about 5,000 Cherokee people.
Peace and New Agreements
Signing the Treaties
In November 1761, the Cherokee signed the Treaty of Long Island on the Holston with the Colony of Virginia. They made peace with South Carolina in December with the Treaty of Charlestown. During the Timberlake Expedition, Lieutenant Henry Timberlake and others traveled to the Overhill Cherokee area. They delivered a copy of the treaty with Virginia to the Cherokee. Timberlake's diary and map of his journey were published in 1765. His diary gave a good description of Cherokee culture.
Changes in Leadership and Relations
The pro-French leader Standing Turkey was replaced as the main Cherokee leader. Attakullakulla, who favored the British, took his place. John Stuart became the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Southern District. He was based in Charlestown, South Carolina. Stuart became the main contact between the Cherokee and the British government. His deputies, Alexander Cameron and John McDonald, lived among the Cherokee people.
Impact on Cherokee Towns and Population
Many Cherokee towns were destroyed during General Grant's campaign. Some of these towns were never rebuilt. For example, the people of Kituwa moved west to Great Island Town. They lived among the Overhill Cherokee. Before the war in 1755, the Cherokee warrior strength was about 2,590. After the war, due to battles, disease, and starvation, it was reduced to about 2,300.
Aftermath and Lasting Effects
Territorial Changes and New Borders
After the war, there were big changes in land ownership. French Louisiana east of the Mississippi River became British territory. Canada also went to the British. Louisiana west of the Mississippi River went to Spain. In exchange, Spanish Florida became British territory. It was then divided into East Florida and West Florida.
Cherokee Leaders Visit London
After the treaties were signed, Henry Timberlake visited London. He traveled with three Cherokee leaders: Ostenaco, Standing Turkey, and Wood Pigeon. The Cherokee guests saw famous places like the Tower of London. They met important people and even had a meeting with King George III. Their visit drew huge crowds. Sadly, their interpreter died on the journey to England, making communication difficult.
Growing Tensions with Colonists
The warm welcome the Cherokee received in London was not popular with everyone. Many South Carolinians saw it as the British government favoring Native Americans over the colonists. This feeling, along with the Royal Proclamation of 1763 (which stopped settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains), made some colonists feel unfairly treated. These disagreements contributed to the growing tensions that eventually led to the American Revolution.
See also
